Martial Arts Competition

Chen Feng seeing this wanted to act, but Elder Si Yin held him back. Seeing he was restrained, Chen Feng cooled off.

Gui Shan and Tan Ning assisted in carrying Hu Mei back to their rooms. So Elder Si Yin urged the rest of them to follow him as they returned to their rooms.

The students of Nainji academy laughed harder when they saw that they retreated.

"What a bunch of nothing and a weak master," Wu Zhu, who was the leader of their team said.

"Hahaha... hahaha... hahaha," they laughed as they took position to seat on the table.

"I believe we would be undefeatable in this competition, not even Guiyi academy have a chance... hahaha...," one of them named Guo Jing said.

Elder Si Yin and the students returned back to their rooms with so much contempt.

"These students got some guts to challenge us including Elder Si Yin, who do they think they are?" Tan Ning said.

"Even me, I felt humiliated by a bunch of arrogant brats," Bi Yao said.

"Ahem! Hu Mei please don't hold a grudge against them. You can vent your anger on them later during the competition," Elder Si Yin said.

"And besides, you can't blame them, they have many legendary masters as their teachers, hence they are pompous and arrogant," he added.

"If their masters are so legendary and powerful, why didn't they join hands to defeat the poison master?" Qin Feiye asked.

"These masters have swore not to involve in the kingdoms politics or battles unless they themselves were attacked. Only their students have the freewill to do so," Elder Si Yin said.

"So interesting...but we really need to watch against these students, especially that their team leader...he used a very strange and powerful technique," Gui Shan said.

"Not to worry Elder Si Yin, I'll get back to them after the competition. I'll just bury my grudge for now," Hu Mei said as he sat up on the bed.

So that day they continued their conversation inside the room not bothering to come out. So after having a long conversation, Elder Si Yin urged them to get some rest since the competition begins the next day.

...

It was finally the day of the competition, Elder Si Yin and his candidates got up early enough and were able to refresh before leaving that morning. After they had made preparations, they left the inn and were on their way to the royal estate that morning.

Many martial artist and candidates were also taking the route to the royal estate. One could see the caliber of men that were enlisted for the competition.

They all moved valiantly as they headed towards the estate. Meanwhile, Chen Feng was taking his time to view the terrain and also study some of the candidates.

Just then, Chen Feng spotted Bao Bao walking alone from a distance heading to the royal estate. He picked interest in him all of a sudden, although he didn't suspect him to be a member of the poison tribe.

Just then, Chen Feng called the attention of Elder Si Yin.

"Elder, I wonder why an academy would send just only one candidate when there is a requirement for maximum of six?" Chen Feng asked Elder Si Yin.

"That uniform belongs to the blue moon academy, I'm even amazed that they sent a student here. They are usually hesitant when it comes to country affairs," Elder Si Yin said.

"Since they could send one, I believe he must be very strong," he added.

They all continued moving as they marched down to the royal estate. Immediately they arrived at the gate, a royal guard and soldier was there to direct them to the venue of the event.

Hence they didn't get the chance to enter the court that led to the royal palace. They were all led to the training wing in the royal estate, which was where the event was to be held.

Each candidate for the competition were made to register before entering the event ground. This was done in order to make the pairing of candidates efficient. 

Vice-general Qing Wu was present at the registration point, so he welcomed all the candidates who came in.

Just before Elder Si Yin and his students arrived, Bao Bao entered and was about to register when Vice general Qing Wu stopped him and asked him some questions.

"Who are you and why are you alone?" Qing Wu asked.

"I'm Bao Bao from the Blue moon academy," he said.

"But I got an Intel earlier that the Blue moon academy declined the proposal to join the competition, wishing to spared from national affairs," Vice general Qing Wu said.

"My master gave it a second thought and sent me here to represent the academy despite the odds," Bao Bao said.

"I'm glad to hear that and I believe you must be very strong since they sent you here all alone," Vice general Qing Wu said.

"Elder your expectations are high for me, but I'll do my best to stand out," Bao Bao said.

Immediately after the encounter, he left and gave a smirk. Bao Bao was glad that he was able to pull that off and succeeded in tricking Qing Wu.

The event kick-started when everyone had arrived and no body was coming in any longer.

The emperor alongside his ministers were present to grace the occasion and see how the candidates would do. Although the emperor hasn't seen anyone to take the place of Fan Xian in his heart, he wished a man as strong as him would emerge from the event.

Eunuch Wang was also present there at the event as one of the kings chamberlains. It was no surprise to him when he saw his daughter. Beforehand, one of his informants had seen his daughter in the day of her arrival and reported to him.

The event then officially began as the emperor gave a go ahead.

The chairman of the event stepped forward to address everyone. The chairman of the competition was Qing Wu, who is the vice general of the wolf troop.

He was indeed happy to see Gui Shan and his friends. He was expectant to see how much they've improved.

"I welcome you all to this martial arts competition which is aimed at selecting candidates for an elite team that would be groomed and trained specially for the battle ahead," Qing Wu said.

"I welcome all our dignitaries which include the emperor, his ministers and chamberlains," Qing Wu said.

Everyone cheered as Qing Wu continued his speech.

"I urge you all to be at your best and full capacity. Don't make use of sly means and ensure you prove you are worthy to be a member of the team."

"Remember that during the combat, your skills, strength and judgement are the criteria that would be evaluated," Qing Wu added.

"Although the elite team would comprise of 15 persons, the match would be fought till there is a last man standing," Qing Wu said.

Everyone cheered as he mentioned this. Especially students from Nainji academy, they cheering Wu Zhu thinking there was no body strong enough to defeat him at the event.

The match began as each of the contestants were paired up for combat.

Each of the paired candidates stepped forward and fought very well. The emperor and everyone present were delighted with the view.

One could witness different the versatility of martial arts. The event was lively, everyone present were thrilled including vice general Qing Wu.

The combat continued, as martial artists were being eliminated one by one from the weak to the strongest. Lucky for students in both Guiyi academy and Nainji academy, they were able to make it to the fourth round.

After some serious combat, the candidates left were, Chen Feng and Gui Shan of Guiyi academy, Wu Zhu of Nainji academy and Bao Bao who beared the title of a Blue moon academy student.

The event was getting more exciting as the four candidates had lasted till that moment and all four possessed a strong Kung Fu base.

The fifth round was to begin anytime soon. As the candidates waited for the pairing up and call to begin combat.

"I can't believe those two candidates from Guiyi academy could make it this far. I believe I would put an end to their misery when I encounter any of them," Wu Zhu said from where he was.

Meanwhile, his others partners assured him of victory and made him so brazen.

Gui Shan and Chen Feng on their part were calm and waited still to give the match their best.

Bao Bao at that moment had a lot of thoughts running through his mind.

"Seems I've beared with them for too long. I think now is the time to act and stir up trouble with these weaklings left," he said.

"I can't wait to crush some bones," Bao Bao said within himself as he laughed even the more.

...

... continue reading from next chapter...